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Wilshere buoyed by Rooney, Higuain links

2 July 2013 10:30

Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere is encouraged to hear the club linked with big names such as Wayne Rooney and Gonzalo Higuain.

Arsene Wenger's side are believed to be closing in on a deal to bring Real Madrid striker Higuain to the Emirates Stadium, and have also been mooted as a potential destination for Rooney should he leave Manchester United.

Wenger failed to settle on a first-choice forward last term as Arsenal struggled for consistency in the opening half of the season, with Olivier Giroud, Gervinho and Lukas Podolski all rotated up front.

And Wilshere has welcomed the news that he could be plying his trade alongside two of the world's most feared centre-forwards next season.

On the Manchester United man, he told ESPN: "Rooney is the type of player who can win you trophies. Just to see his name on the team sheet brings fear to the opposition.

"We could do with a little more of that."

The 21-year-old also spoke of his delight over links with Argentina international Higuain, who scored 19 goals in 44 appearances for Real last term.

"You look at the type of players like Higuain we are trying to bring in and you have got to be encouraged," he added.

"I think we need a few more, not to step right into the team, but to add to the squad. We need our squad to be as deep as United's and (Manchester) City's. They can change their back four completely and still win. There is no way United would have won the Premier League trophy with 18 players.

"It is no secret we need to win a trophy. How long has it been now, seven or eight years? The players feel the pressure and we have gotten close a few times like with the Carling Cup a couple of years ago. I think once we win one, others will follow."